Right Mini-Thoracotomy versus Standard Sternotomy for Surgical Excision of Atrial Myxomas

Introduction: Atrial myxomas are rare benign tumors; causing obstructive or embolic complications, or even death, depending on their site and size. Therefore, once diagnosed, it should be surgically resected. Atrial myxomas are present about 75% in left atrium (LA) and about 15% in right atrium (RA). Early diagnosis is a challenge because of nonspecific manifestations, and sometimes is asymptomatic and may be discovered accidentally during transthoracic echography (TTE).Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has benefits over sternotomy include cosmetically, less pain, and shorter total hospital stay. Materials and Methods:Between January 2011 to December 2020, (50) patients [30 Sternotomy, 20 MICS] underwent surgery for isolated resection of cardiac myxoma. We reported outcomes; cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time, conversion to median sternotomy (ST), total hospital stay, complications (stroke, renal failure, respiratory failure, reoperation, and infection), pain, patient¢s satisfaction, recurrence and survival. Follow-up time was from 6-months to 3-years.  Results: There is no significant difference in CPB or cross-clamp time between groups. No minimal invasive (MI) cases required conversion to a median ST. Total hospital stay is shorter in the MI group by 2.2 days (p-value = 0.045).  No differences present in morbidity or mortality between two groups. Conclusions: Surgical resection of atrial myxoma resection by minimal invasive approach is safe, feasible, and favored over sternotomy